Belcher killed girlfriend, then himself at Arrowhead Stadium

In this Dec. 11, 2011, file photo, Kansas City Chiefs' Jovan Belcher sits on the sidelines during the third quarter of the NFL football game against the New York Jets in East Rutherford, N.J. Police say Belcher fatally shot his girlfriend early Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012, in Kansas City, Mo., then drove to Arrowhead Stadium and committed suicide in front of his coach and general manager.

(AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File)

Photos

In this Dec. 11, 2011, file photo, Kansas City Chiefs' Jovan Belcher sits on the sidelines during the third quarter of the NFL football game against the New York Jets in East Rutherford, N.J. Police say Belcher fatally shot his girlfriend early Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012, in Kansas City, Mo., then drove to Arrowhead Stadium and committed suicide in front of his coach and general manager.

(AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File)

University of Maine officials say a Kansas City Chiefs linebacker who fatally shot his girlfriend and himself was a graduate of the school who played on its football team.

Police in Kansas City, Mo., say 25-year-old Jovan Belcher shot 22-year-old Kasandra M. Perkins to death early today and then drove to Arrowhead Stadium and killed himself in front of his coach and general manager.

University officials say Belcher, of West Babylon, N.Y., studied at Maine from 2005 until 2008, when graduated with a bachelor's degree in child development and family relations.

He was a linebacker through the 2008 football season and was named defensive player of the year during his senior year. Head Football Coach Jack Cosgrove called him a "tremendous student-athlete."

"And there were Pioli and Crennel and another coach or employee was standing outside and appeared to be talking to him. It appeared they were talking to the suspect," Snapp said. "The suspect began to walk in the opposite direction of the coaches and the officers and that's when they heard the gunshot. It appears he took his own life."

Pioli was director of player personnel for the New England Patriots in 2001. Crennel was the defensive line coach for the Patriots from 2001-2004.

The coaches told police they never felt in any danger, Snapp said.

"They said the player was actually thanking them for everything they'd done for him," he said. "They were just talking to him and he was thanking them and everything. That's when he walked away and shot himself."

Kansas City Mayor Sly James said that he spoke to Pioli after the shooting.

"I can tell you that you have absolutely no idea what it's like to see someone kill themselves," James said. "You can take your worst nightmare and put someone you know and love in that situation, and give them a gun and stand three feet away and watch them kill themselves. That's what it's like.”